only apprehended was, that those enemies of Jesus Christ might exercise their malice against a cross which was raised in the midst of all the castle, and which Father Xavier had set up with his own hands.  To preserve it, therefore, inviolable from their attempts, they wrapt it up in cloth of gold, and buried it in the bottom of the ditch.  After they had thus secured their treasure, they opened the gate to the unbelievers, who, knowing what had been done by them, ran immediately in search of the cross, to revenge upon it the contempt which had been shown to Mahomet.  But not being able to find it, they turned all their fury upon those who had concealed it, and who would not discover where it was.

Death seemed to have been the least part of what they suffered.  The Mahometan soldiers cut off one man’s leg, another’s arm, tore out this man’s eyes, and the other’s tongue.  So the Christians died by degrees, and by a slow destruction, but without drawing one sigh, or casting out a groan, or shewing the least apprehension; so strongly were they supported in their souls by the all-powerful grace of Jesus Christ, for whom they suffered.

Xavier at length parted from Amboyna; and probably it was then, if we consider the sequel of his life, that he had the opportunity of making the voyage of Macassar.

For though it be not certainly known at what time he visited that great island, nor the fruit which his labours there produced, it is undoubted that he has been there; and, in confirmation of it, we have, in the process of his canonization, the juridical testimony of a Portuguese lady of Malacca, called Jane Melo, who had many times heard from the princess Eleonar, daughter to the king of Macassar, that the holy apostle had baptized the king her father, the prince her brother, and a great number of their subjects.

But at whatsoever time he made this voyage, he returned to Malacca, in the month of July, in the year 1547.

BOOK IV.

He arrives at Malacca, and there meets three missioners of the company.  His conduct with John Deyro.  Deyro has a vision, which God reveals to Xavier.  The actions of the saint at Malacca.  The occasion of the king of Achen’s enterprise against Malacca.  The preparation of the barbarians for the siege of Malacca.  The army of Achen comes before Malacca; its landing and retreat.  The letter of the general of Achen to the governor of Malacca.  Xavier’s advice to the governor of Malacca.  They follow his counsel.  They prepare to engage the enemy.  He exhorts the soldiers and captains to do their duty.  The fleet sets out, and what happened at that time.  He upbraids the governor with his diffidence.  He foretels what is suddenly accomplished.  The Portuguese fleet goes in search of the enemy.  Troubles in Malacca concerning their fleet.  A new cause of consternation.  The true condition of the fleet.  The soldiers are encouraged by their